BEDFORD CO., Va. – A Washington County Circuit Court judge has ruled that two gun laws recently passed by the Virginia General Assembly cannot be enforced anywhere in the commonwealth, leaving gun owners, law enforcement and legal experts watching closely as the case moves through the courts.
The ruling clarifies that an earlier injunction blocking the laws applies statewide, meaning neither Virginia State Police nor local law enforcement can enforce restrictions on the sale of certain assault-style firearms or new public carry restrictions while the legal challenge works its way through the courts. The ruling takes effect July 21, giving law enforcement and commonwealth’s attorneys time to review and comply.
Lawful gun owners voice concern
For Bedford County gun owner Freda Easterly, the debate hits close to home.
“Taking guns or restricting gun ownership and purchases from people who legally own them and have gone through all the right steps to obtain them — that isn’t going to change what’s going on on the other end,” Easterly said…